Bolla m



' (No Model.)

R. M. CHASE. Forceps for Dental Wedges.

No. 243,105. Patented June 21,1881.

VITNESSES UNITED .STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

ROLLA M. CHASE, OF BETHEL, VERMONT.

FORCEPS FOR DENTAL WEDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,105, dated June 21, 1881.

Application filed April 11, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLLA M. OHAsE, of Bethel, in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Forceps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make-and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which formapart of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side view of myimproved den- .tal forceps. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the pad or cushion, and Fig. 4 is a detail view of the wedge.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to dental forceps for driving or adjustingwedges between the natural teeth for the purpose of forcingth em apart in order to gain space to facilitate cleaning, plugging, and other operations; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents a pair of suitably-constructed pinchers or forceps, the arms B O of which are provided,

at or near their points, with transverse per forations D E.

F is a plug, of rubber other suitable material, consisting of a cushion or pad, G, having a stem or shank, H, by which it may be adj usted in the perforation D of arm B.

I is a small wedge, of wood orother suitable material, provided with a stem or shank, J, by

which it may be adjusted in perforation E of arm 0, facing the pad or cushion G, as shown.

The operation ofmy invention will be readily understood. The forceps are held so as to place the elastic pad behind the teeth, and the wedge in front, between those which are to be separated. By compressing the handles the wedge is then gently driven in between the teeth, where it remains when the handles are brought apart. The cushion Gr forms an elastic bearing, which enables the operation to be performed with little or no pain to thepatient. When the cushion is worn out or injured the plug F, of which it forms part, may be readily removed and a new one substituted.

It has heretofore been customary to drive the wedges for the purpose herein set forth by means of a mallet, thus causing considerable. pain, not only at the time but afterward, occasioned by the loosening of the teeth which is inevitable by this process. By my invention, which is simple, convenient, and inexpensive, this objection is entirely overcome.

Having thus described myinventiom'I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- The combination, with the herein-described improved dental forceps having perforations D E, of the removable elasticplug F and wedge 1, having stem or shank J, substantially as and for the purpose shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROLLA M. CHASE.

Witnesses:

. T. P. HOLDEN, S. F. HOLDEN. 

